THE 3 MOSKEYS

The mosques of Houmt Souk are extremely interesting. Non-Muslims are not allowed to visit them, so you'll have to be content with admiring their exteriors.

The zaouïa of Sidi Brahim (named after the saint who rests there) is somewhat reminiscent of Fatimid mosques. The tiled dome has an original bell shape.

Opposite, the Mosque of the Foreigners can be recognized by its multiple domes.

Finally, the ^18th-centuryMosque of the Turks features a minaret with a typical Turkish lantern.

Numerous mosques of great purity are scattered throughout Djerba. They are self-contained, unlike those found elsewhere in the medinas of the Maghreb. The oldest mosques date back to the late ^8th century and are ibadhite. Ibadhism is a branch of Islam that advocates the virtue of hard work, egalitarian principles and the moral and spiritual qualities required of guides elected by their peers. This assembly of wise men, the Azzabas, was responsible for the religious and social organization of community life.

Today, 3 types of mosque can be seen in Djerba: coastal mosques, which formed a first line of advanced defense; within earshot of each other, they played a vital surveillance role. Fortified mosques, with their massive appearance, formed a second line of rear defense. Lastly, inland mosques, sometimes built underground to provide refuge, were dedicated not only to worship, but also to teaching and the organization of civic life.